Just got back from a little get-away with some high school friends. We rented an Airbnb in Salt Lake and met for a four-day R&R. We have traditionally stayed in hotels with a pool, but we were staying for four days which was longer than usual, and we wanted more room than a hotel provides. So, we decided to try something new, hence the Airbnb. Essentially, we swapped the pool for more room and more days. 

When we walked in the door, Dix said, “This place is older than
my house.” 

I thought, “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.” Turns out it was a great idea. Everyone had her own bedroom. We had a table for games…no setting up the hotel ironing board for Five Crowns. We congregated for movies, eating, water coloring, chit-chat and games in the great room, then moved to our own space for sleeping.

We took field trips each day. On Wednesday, we went downtown to the museum. None of us had been to the museum in years, not since our own kids were little when we spent most of the time herding them. Who knew what a pleasure exploring a museum could be?  We strolled the historical area on the first floor, which took a while to navigate and appreciate. 

When I went to the second level to see the art exhibits, a group of white-shirt-and-tie gentlemen, along with some well-dressed ladies were listening to the art museum curator at the top of the stairs. I couldn’t get by, so I hung out on the periphery and listened. The curator was explaining how the museum attracted artists, how they chose what to display and what types of pieces they were looking for. It was interesting and as they moved into the display areas, I asked a gentleman standing next to me who this group was. They were people who procure art for the church and make decisions about what is hung in churches, temples, office buildings, etc.  I thanked him and went on my way and then remembered that Arch Williams (Cordell and Maisie’s son) did something like that. The guy I just talked to sort of looked like Cordell. I turned around, found the group, spotted my acquaintance and sidled up to him and asked if he was Arch Williams. He was, and when I told him my name, he was so excited to see a Malad person he left his group. Mel and Deb joined us, and we had a little reunion right there. Now, the amazing thing is we didn’t really know Arch when he lived in Malad. We knew he was Lou’s little brother. He didn’t know us either, but for about 20 minutes we were best friends. It just made us happy.

It’s a Good Life when you connect with people who have the same roots as you. Funny thing is we stopped at Maddox on the way home and ran into Alyce, Dixie, Susan and Jody…more Maladians, more connections, more of the Good Life!